Improvement in merchandising-cars



v Z-Sheets-Sheet 1.

ME'RCHAND'ISING CAR.

rate-ma March 7 ,.1a7e..

. WITNESSES N. PETERS, PHDTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

ZShebts-Sheet 2. BUR'HANR- I MERCHANDISINGOAR. Nb.'174,409. V Patented March 7 1-876.

WITNESSES N PETERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPHEN, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STAT OFFICE;

AUGUSTUS H. BURHANS, OF HASTINGS, NEBRASKA.

IMPROVEMENT m MERCHA NDlSlNG-CARS'.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 74,409, dated March 7, 1876; application filed January 8, 1876. l

3 To all whom it may concern Be it known thatI, AUGUSTUS H. BURHANS,

' of Hastings, in the county of Adams andState of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Merchandising-Oar; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawand for selling them therefrom.

The cars are to be adapted for running on all roads, whether of broad or narrow gage, and to be provided with portable temporary switches and short sections of side track to' enable them to be run 011' the main track at any point where it may be required.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a part of a car arranged according to my invention; Fig. 2, a horizontal section of the same on the line as m, Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, a transverse section on the line y y, Fig. 1.

A is the body of the car, which may be substantially the same as the ordinary cars. B

represents bins, which I propose to mount on rollersor casters, 0, and arrange in-cells along the sides of the interior of the car, under the shelves 0 and between the partitions D, so

that they may be drawn out and in andused for storing the heavier goods of the stocks. The shelves (3 are made in two parts and hinged together, so that one, 0, may swing outward for use as a counter. Above these bins are arranged drawers E, and above them shelves F. These latter I propose to inclose in front by hinged or swinging doors G, to

. prevent the lighter goods, which are to be placed on them, from being thrown off by the jarring of the cars while in motion. H is a large cellar or space at the bottom of the car,

which I propose to provide by applyingthe inclosing-walls I K with corresponding end walls and the bottom L, towhich space access is had through the trap-doors M. This space is also to be used for storing goods. A porta ble counter, which I propose to use with these cars for displaying goods, may be placed on the platform when required for use, or it may be removed to a permanent platform by the side of the car as it stands on the track. Between suitable guides, secured to the sides of the car, the bed 0 is constructed to be vertically adjustable within the space between said guides. The bed is attached to the free ends of weighted cords, which pass around the pulleys, journaled in the roof of the car. A sliding door, when closed, serves to form the rear wall of the bed-section, and, when opened, the bed is raised against the carroof, leaving an unobstructed doorway. On the other side, opposite to this bed, or recess thereof, may be another one for a stove and seat,and near one. end, say, at B, may he another reeess with a seat and desk for. the bookkeeper or clerk.

These cars will be lighted and ventilated mainly at the top and ends, but any other suitable means may be provided for the pur pose.

I also propose to use the outside of the car as an advertising medium for wholesale and retail dealers and manufacturers, by placing in suitable frames or caseslarge cards, advertisements, &c., to remain a certain time, according to agreement. I propose also to protect these advertisements in bad weather by a canvas or other suitable covering placed C and F, with hinged covers Gand cellar H, guides secured to the sides of the car doorsubstantially as and for the purposes deway, as described, said bed being supported scribed. by means of weighted cords P, all arranged 2. A merchandising-car, having arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth. within its interior, in connection with the bins, In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I drawers, and shelves, the space for adjustable have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of bed 0, stove and seat opposite, and space R, November, 1875.

with seat for book-keeper or clerk, as de- I AUGUSTUS H. BURHANS. scribed. -Witnesses:

3. In a merchandising-car, the vertically- L. H. RYDER,

adjustable bed 0, in combination with two '1. F. OOY. 

